What About Meb?

I was on the treadmill last Saturday and ESPN was showing a rerun of the 2014 ESPY awards that took place earlier in the week on Wednesday. I was wrapping up my run so I was only able to see the monologue the host gave to open the show. I laughed a few times as the host cracked jokes about the sports celebrities in the audience. One thought crossed my mind as the host wrapped up his monologue and I wrapped up my run. Where was Meb? This show is about honoring the best athletes and athletic achievements of the past 12 months, right? How could Meb not be in the crowd after becoming the first American to win the Boston Marathon in 30 years? Maybe Meb was running late or had to miss the show due to a prior engagement for his Sponsors.

I was intrigued enough that when I had a few minutes later that afternoon while Tamsin was napping, I Googled the nominees and the winners of the 2014 ESPY’s (you can view the list of 2014 ESPY winners by clicking here). I was shocked that Meb’s win in Boston didn’t even land him a single nomination! It is my understanding that the ESPY nominees and winners are chosen by the fans, so this snub is largely our distance running community’s fault. We need to step up our game to get our athletes recognized along with the great NFL players, NBA players, MLB players, NHL players, MLS players, golfers, and bowlers (yes bowlers have a category) out there!

I have made a list of actual 2014 ESPY categories that I believe Meb should have won below. I have included the actual winner as well.

Best breakthrough athlete:

Winner in my mind: Meb, for breaking the through and winning the Boston Marathon after 30 years of Kenyan and Ethiopian dominance.

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